A conference on promoting agricultural cooperation between Vietnam and Mozambique was held in Maputo on June 11 with the aim of fostering bilateral cooperation in the prioritised sector of both countries.

The event was jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Mozambique and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security of the Republic of Mozambique and attracted the participation of a number of local concerning agencies and international organisations such as IMF, FAO, UNCDF, JICA, USAID, and others.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Mozambique, Le Huy Hoang, spoke at the conference that Vietnam wished to continue coordinating with Mozambique and African countries in the area of agriculture while expecting more financial support from international organisations to help ensure food security and enhance the quality of life for locals.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of the Republic of Mozambique, Higino Francisco de Marrule, said that Mozambique boasts many favourable natural conditions for agricultural production and aquatic exports and the country is developing new policies to attract foreign investment in the cultivation and processing of farm produce.

The minister encouraged Vietnamese firms to invest in the production of rice and industrial plants with high export values including cashew nuts, coconuts, cassava, and coffee.

Director General of Mozambique's Institute of Agricultural Research, Olga Faftine, appreciated the effectiveness of the US$2.2 million joint project between Vietnam and Mozambique on the research and development of food plants in Zambezia province.

She also wished for further support from Vietnam to implement the second phase of the project and promote the outcomes of the first phase of the project.-NDO